At a gubernatorial candidate forum in Baton Rouge today, the four candidates were asked what should be done about the state’s current fiscal crisis. Legislators are working to resolve a $1.6 billion dollar budget deficit. Republican Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle says the state’s tax code is outdated and needs to be totally redone…:
CUT 12 (11) “people of Louisiana”
Democratic Amite state Representative John Bel Edwards says the answer is reducing or eliminating tax credits that aren’t working…:
CUT 14 (10) “review these things”
Senator David Vitter says if elected he’s going to call a special session focused on spending and tax reform and Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne supports the cigarette tax increase.

The Youngsville Police Department says a male youth softball coach is facing charges for allegedly punching an opposing female softball coach and breaking her nose. Chief Rickey Boudreaux says a fight broke out with the players and when the female coach tried to break it up, the opposing male coach sucker punched her and her nose broke in three places…:
CUT 10 (08) “youth softball game”
Boudreaux says they will arrest the coach and probably others as well.

The New Orleans District Attorney has dropped Louisiana gun charges against wealthy New York real estate heir Robert Durst. Legal analysts say this is not a big break for Durst because the federal court charges are still on. The federal charge of felon in possession of a firearm carries a penalty of up to 10 years. Prosecutors say Durst killed a friend as police were preparing to interview her about the disappearance of Durst’s wife in New York decades earlier.

In an op-ed piece found in today’s New York Times, Governor Jindal says he’s not backing down from supporting a controversial religious liberty bill. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 2 (28) “reporting”

The credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Services lowered LSU’s credit outlook from positive to stable. State Treasurer John Kennedy says this move reflects the years of cuts and tuition hikes statewide, but says action by the legislature could stabilize higher ed and turn things around. The Jindal Administration says “corporate welfare” needs to be cut so dollars can be invested in higher ed.

Northeast Louisiana is recovering from a strong storm that ripped through the region on Wednesday. Executive Director of Ouachita Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Neal Brown says straight line winds and hail and got worse as it moved through the Sterlington area and into Union, Richland and Morehouse parishes…:
CUT 4 (12) “a lot of hail”
He says some homes were destroyed and at least three people were injured.

Gas prices keep going up. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.28 up a penny from the day before and 8 cents higher than last week.

Governor Bobby Jindal has an op-ed piece in today’s New York Times that explains his support for the religious liberty bill that will be debated in the Louisiana legislature. Some companies are concerned about the legislation. But U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Jindal lets the world know their opinions won’t deter him…:
CUT 6 (09) “a gauntlet”
Jindal also emphasizes in the column his view that marriage is between one man and one woman and Cross says it’s another way the Governor is trying to raise his profile in the presidential race.

There are still thousands without power in parts of northeast Louisiana on the heels of a terrible storm that ripped through the region Wednesday. Authorities say areas in Ouachita, Union, Morehouse and Richland parishes are dealing with downed power lines, trees and blocked roads. Sterlington Middle is closed today due to damage as the recovery continues.

The Youngsville Police Department says a male youth softball coach is facing charges for allegedly punching an opposing female softball coach and breaking her nose. Chief Rickey Boudreaux says it was a highly contested game between two teams with the Lafayette City-Parish Parks and Recreation and after it was over words were allegedly exchanged then three players jumped on an opposing player…:
CUT 9 (11) “in three places”
Boudreaux says the suspect coach is a complete low life and expects more than one arrest will be made in this case very soon.

The fundraiser for the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s deputy who was gunned down while working a school zone last week is underway in Destrehan. Captain Pat Yoes says Corporal Burt Halzetine, who was hit with three bullets, is doing remarkably well as he begins the road to recovery..:
CUT 1 (06) “all of these”
The fundraiser at the Shriners hall in Destrehan goes on till 8pm.

A bill that attempts to rein in the cost of the TOPS scholarship program received approval from the Senate Education Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 3 (27) “reporting”

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s office says a two year old child drowned in the backwaters of Pearl River in Bogalusa Wednesday. They believe the little boy wandered away from his home and followed a trail into the swamp where he was found by investigators face down in the water. Sadly, the child could not be saved. An autopsy will be performed.

Many areas in northeast Louisiana are in recovery mode today after horrible storms moved through the region Wednesday. Authorities say homes and businesses were damaged by hail and heavy winds and at least three people were injured. Executive Director of Ouachita Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Neal Brown…:
CUT 3 (11) “not livable”
He says the brunt of the damage was in the Sterlington area and into Morehouse and Richland parishes.

The Orleans Parish DA has decided not to prosecute the state’s weapons case against wealthy New York real estate heir Robert Durst and it was dropped today. Durst is still charged federally with illegal possession of a firearm by a felon and that case remains intact and is scheduled to go to trial on September 22nd.

In spite of Governor Bobby Jindal’s opposition, the Senate Education committee advances legislation designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. The bill’s author, Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue, says as tuition costs go up, so does the cost for TOPS and something needs to be done to preserve the program…

cut 14 (10) “in the future”

Donahue’s bill sets a baseline on how much the state will spend on TOPS and it will not automatically increase with a rise in tuition.

The state Department of Transportation wants to hear how motorists feel the I-10 through Baton Rouge should be improved. They’ve created a survey you can take online at i10br.com as part of a study to determine the feasibility of any enhancements it could make to the congested area from West Baton Rouge to the I-10/12 split. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett…

cut 7 (10) “for them to do that”

Mallett says they will be gathering your answers through the end of May.

Cops says a now ex-teacher from Lake Charles Charter Academy is under arrest amid allegations of sexual misconduct with one of her juvenile students. Michelle Southern reports…:

cut 2 (30) “reporting”

Youngsville Police are working to identify the man accused of punching a youth softball coach and breaking her nose. The incident took place when a post-game brawl broke out between the visiting Lafayette team and the local Broussard Youngsville team. They say when the Broussard Youngsville coach stepped in to intervene, the man sucker-punched her. Authorities say the man was working as an assistant coach for the visiting team.

The Senate Education committee approves legislation designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program, despite opposition from Governor Bobby Jindal. Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue’s bill sets a baseline on how much the state will spend on TOPS and it will not automatically increase with the rise in tuition…

cut 15 (10) “raise that”

TOPS is expected to cost the state over 250-million dollars this year and nearly 400-million dollars by fiscal year 2018-19.

Two bills that attempt to address gender inequality when it comes to pay failed to get approval from the House Labor Committee. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says Louisiana has the worst gender pay gap in the nation at 66 percent. But Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says laws like this would open up floodgates of litigation…

cut 13 (09) “treated unfairly”

The committee voted 9-to-5 against the measures.

St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Burt Hazeltine has been released from the hospital and the sheriff’s office will host a benefit lunch/dinner for him today in Destrehan. Hazeltine was shot last week while directing traffic in a school zone in Paradis. Captain Pat Yoes says they’re holding this fundraiser because Hazeltine has a long road ahead toward recovery…

cut 4 (06) “lessen that burden”

The fundraiser will happen at the Shriner’s Hall in Destrehan from 11AM til 8PM.

A crash in DeSoto Parish has claimed the life of a teenager, according to Mansfield Police. They say four Mansfield High School students were traveling down a roadway near the school when for unknown reasons their vehicle crossed the center line, struck an embankment, overturned, and hit a tree. The deceased has been identified as 16-year-old Reydel Jones. The other three students were transported to an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

Two bills that attempted to make sure women are paid the same wages or salary as males in the workplace were defeated in the House Labor Committee. Republicans on the panel voted against the measure. Hammond Representaitve Chris Broadwater says laws like this would open up the floodgates for litigation…
cut 13 (09) “…treated unfairly”
The vote was 9-to-5 against the bills.

The Senate Education Committee approves legislation that seeks to control the amount of state funding that goes towards the TOPS scholarship program. Governor Bobby Jindal opposes the measure, his deputy chief of staff, Stafford Palmieri, says Donahue’s bill breaks a promise Louisiana made to TOPS recipents that the state would fully pay their tuition…
cut 16 (11) “…education”
The bill heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

Police in Lake Charles have charged a recently dismissed teacher from Lake Charles Charter Academy with multiple counts of oral sexual battery and indecent behavior with a juvenile. Deputy Chief Mark Kraus says more charges could be coming against 35-year-old Sommer Odom of Iowa, but right now they have enough evidence to turn over to the DA…
cut 11 (05) “….or not”

If you’ve ever traveled through Baton Rouge on I-10 during the morning or afternoon commute, you know it can be a traffic nightmare. That’s why the department of transportation will conduct surveys so they can receive feedback from the public on what could be done to ease the congestion. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett…
cut 8 (13) “…this area”
Mallett says they also plan to hold a series of public meetings in August.

Despite opposition from Governor Jindal, the Senate Education committee approves legislation designed to control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue, says as tuition costs rise, so does the cost for TOPS and something needs to be done to preserve the program…
cut 14 (10) “….in the future”
Donahue’s bill sets a base amount that students receive and it will not automatically increase with the rise in tuition.

Another teacher in Louisiana has been arrested for inappropriate conduct with a student. Cops in Lake Charles say 35-year-old Nicole Odom of Iowa had sexual encounters with a juvenile on several occassions…
cut 10 (11) “…support the allegation”
Odom has been dismissed as a teacher from Lake Charles Charter Academy.

Funeral services are scheduled for Monday for Caddo Parish District Attorney Charles Scott, who was found dead at a hotel on LSU’s campus. An autopsy on Scott’s body is expected today. Officials believe he died of natural causes.

A benefit will be held today for St. Charles Parish deputy Corporal Burt Hazeltine. Eric Gill has more…
cut 1 (29) “….reporting”